The beautiful Bruneck Castle in Northern Italy has been transformed by <a href="http://www.em2.bz.it/" target="_blank">EM2</a> architecture into a new branch of the <a href="http://www.messner-mountain-museum.it" target="_blank">Messner Mountain Museum</a>. Originally built by a bishop during <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rathaus-terraces-mixed-use-development-for-medieval-german-city/" target="_blank">Medieval</a> times, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cement-factory-ruins-transformed-into-castle-like-home-in-barcelona/" target="_blank">castle</a>'s interior has received an overhaul complete with new rooms constructed of period - appropriate unfinished timber. The museum is the brainchild of mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who has created a series of museums that highlight the culture of people who live in mountainous regions around the world.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Development on the project started in 2008, and since then EM2 has focused on restoring the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/minnesota-man-uses-geothermal-heating-system-to-build-soaring-ice-castles/" target="_blank">castle</a>’s façade and interior while creating a fine exhibition space.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Massive wooden stairways were built to connect the floors of the Bergfried<a href="http://inhabitat.com/sustainable-and-twisted-turning-torso-sculptural-building-in-malmo-by-santiago-calatrava/" target="_blank"> Tower</a> to various antechambers.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Wooden flooring was also installed over the castle's traditional stone floors. On top of the tower, visitors can catch a breathtaking view of the surrounding snow-capped Zillertal Alps.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Several wings of extensions were built from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mexicos-le-porc-shop-turns-drab-recycled-materials-into-dynamic-furniture/" target="_blank">unfinished wood</a> as well - these areas house more exhibitions while echoing the common materials used during the castle’s construction in Medieval times.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Meanwhile an elevator is a modern addition that serves disabled guests.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

Reinhold Messner is a mountaineer and a cultural anthropologist that studies mountain people around the globe. His <a href="http://inhabitat.com/historic-raleigh-art-gallery-a-gets-a-modern-makeover-with-plunging-fin-roof/" target="_blank">museums</a> focus on educating visitors on glaciers, rock climbing, mythical mountain history, and the history of mountain people.

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EM 2 Messner Mountain Museum

The beautiful Bruneck Castle in Northern Italy has been transformed by EM2 architecture into a new branch of the Messner Mountain Museum. Originally built by a bishop during Medieval times, the castle's interior has received an overhaul complete with new rooms constructed of period - appropriate unfinished timber. The museum is the brainchild of mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who has created a series of museums that highlight the culture of people who live in mountainous regions around the world.